Orlando Woman Charged With DUI With Serious Bodily Injury After Crash Critically Injuring 2 Young Children In Frostproof Crash

Frostproof

Staff Reporter

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May 22, 2023

32-year-old Ashauntie Cox (DOB 2/15/1991) of Orlando, who caused serious bodily harm to two children in her vehicle while fleeing from two crashes and driving under the influence, was arrested in Polk County on Friday, May 19, 2023, and charged with several felonies.

According to witnesses and information developed during the investigation, the first crash occurred around 8:00 p.m. on US Hwy 27 at the intersection with US Hwy 98 near Frostproof. Cox was driving a blue Kia southbound on Hwy 27 when she struck a grey Chevy Silverado pickup truck and then fled at a high rate of speed. As she continued to recklessly speed south down Hwy 27, weaving in and out of slower moving traffic, she rear-ended a 2016 Honda CRV while trying to pass between that SUV and the vehicle next to it which were both also going southbound. The victim driving the CRV was taken to Sebring Hospital, where he was treated and released with minor injuries.

The collision caused Cox’s vehicle to flip several times, ejecting two Orlando children, ages 5 and 8 years old. Both sustained significant injuries, and they were taken to Tampa General Hospital where they are both in critical condition. A 27-year-old female passenger was also seriously injured along her spinal cord, hip, and back. She remains at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center in stable condition.

When deputies arrived at the scene of the crash, they detected the odor of marijuana and located a bottle of tequila in Cox’s vehicle. Cox was transported to the hospital and interview by deputies. Cox told deputies they were driving from Orlando to Avon Park to celebrate the 5-year-old’s kindergarten graduation. She admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the day, and to having four shots of tequila. Her blood was drawn for further analysis, and she displayed several signs of impairment.

She was booked into the Polk County Jail and is being charged with:

· Three counts DUI with serious bodily injury (F3)

· Two counts negligent child abuse with great bodily harm (F2)

· Reckless driving (F3)

· One count DUI with property damage (M1)

· One count DUI (M2)

Further charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.

“This woman had no regard for anyone’s life when she got behind the wheel intoxicated and then drove recklessly down a major highway, but what’s worse is the blatant disregard she had for the lives of the innocent children in her car. I expect a successful prosecution to hold her accountable—and let’s hope she loses her driving privileges if she’s released from jail or prison. Please keep these babies and their families in your prayers.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Beginner Watercolor Art Class: Alligator in Lilies at Bok Tower Gardens

Maria Iannucci

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September 3, 2025

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Beginner Watercolor Art Class: Alligator in Lilies at Bok Tower Gardens

Saturday, September 27
12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
$55 members, $75 non-members

Bok Tower Gardens will be hosting a beginner watercolor class on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 12 PM to 3 PM.

Create your own, Alligator in Lillies, watercolor painting from sketch to finish. You will be provided with all the materials for the class and artist, Kelly Quinn, will share her tips and techniques to guide you step-by-step through the process.

The cost of the class is $55 for members, and $75 for non-members.

Register Now

County Commissioners Approve Noise Ordinance, Vessel Exclusion Zones, and Designated Swim Areas on Lake Winterset, Clinch, and Ariana

City of Lake Wales

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September 2, 2025

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County Commissioners Approve Noise Ordinance, Vessel Exclusion Zones, and Designated Swim Areas on Lake Winterset, Clinch, and Ariana

by James Coulter

Loud, throbbing music that rattles house windows. Indecent exposure and language from rowdy, drunken boaters. And garbage that litters the shore of private homeowners.

These are some of the nuisances commonly experienced on Lakes Winterset, Clinch, and Ariana. And it is these nuisances that newly-adopted vessel exclusion zones, designated swim areas, and a noise ordinance are expected to mitigate.

At their regular meeting on Tues. Sept. 2, 2025, Polk County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve two ordinances.

One ordinance creates vessel exclusion zones (which would likewise function as designated swim areas) for Lakes Winterset, Clinch, and Ariana.

“As waterway usage increases, conflicts between motorized vessel traffic and vulnerable users like swimmers and bathers present a growing safety concern,” the agenda item stated. “This action will physically separate vessel traffic from swimming activities, mitigating risks and protecting the public health, safety, and general welfare of persons using these waterways.”

The other ordinance repeals and replaces the county’s existing noise ordinance “to provide an updated framework for effectively protecting the public health, safety, general welfare, and the reasonable peace and quiet of Polk County residents.”

“As Polk County’s population continues to grow, residents have faced significant challenges related to noise disturbances,” the agenda item stated. “The County’s existing noise regulations…are insufficient for addressing the types of noise issues currently being faced by our residents.”

Several residents who live along the lakes spoke during public comments to voice their support of the ordinances and their concerns about the problems these ordinances seek to mitigate.

Many residents mentioned how boaters would often litter, act rowdy and indecently, and even become drunk and intoxicated. Many also complained how the music from boats would be played loudly enough not only to be heard inside houses, but also to rattle windows.

“We had to buy noise-canceling headphones. We are listening with the windows closed and air conditioning on, and we can still hear it and feel it,” said resident Linda Phillips.

“We have asked these boaters nicely to turn their music down, and when they leave, they come back with larger speakers pointing them at us in defiance,” said one resident, Doreen Northstrom. “It boggles my mind that we even have to get to this point because of the lack of respect and morals.”

Another resident, Candace Romando, mentioned a recent incident where one person on a boat had his head smashed with a beer bottle and retaliated by drawing a gun. She brought along a petition of 120 signatures in support of the proposed ordinance.

Several other residents attempted to play video and audio recordings of the rowdy, indecent behavior often exhibited on the lakes, only for their microphones to be silenced.

“We have to deal with this on a daily basis,” Romando said.

Lake Winterset recently made headlines due to a fight that occurred there in early August. The incident led to eight arrests, including one minor, for charges such as rioting and fighting in public.

Addressing the incident during a press meeting, Sheriff Grady Judd stated, quite emphatically, that the “game is over” for people who engage in such unruly behavior on the lakes.

“It’s over, folks,” he said. “We will lock y’all up until you figure out that you can’t misbehave in the community, that you can’t fight, that you can’t knock people unconscious.”

Listening, Learning, Leading: Julie Conrad’s First Steps in Lake Wales as New Superintendent

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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September 2, 2025

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Listening, Learning, Leading: Julie Conrad’s First Steps in Lake Wales as New Superintendent

Julie Conrad – Lake Wales Charter School Superintendent

By Anita Todd

LAKE WALES – Freshly arrived and facing the challenge of her new position head on, Julie Conrad, the new Superintendent of the Lake Wales Charter School District, hasn’t slowed down since she pulled into town.

Having finished the third week of the school year, Conrad has already completed more than 55 one-on-one meetings with trustees, principals, staff, community members, city officials, faith leaders, and representatives of community organizations. She’s also visited all seven campuses at least three times and attended as many events as her schedule allows.

It’s a strong start to her 90-day plan, which centers on listening and learning.
“I am committed to being visible and approachable. Visibility creates stability,” Conrad said. “As I said at the Back to School Celebration and in my welcome letter to students, staff and families, we will be focused on safety, learning and academics, and engagement. Engagement is key.”

Though new to Lake Wales and Florida, Conrad has deep Southern roots. Born in Alabama, she moved to Wisconsin then back to Alabama where she graduated from Auburn University before moving back to Wisconsin. The daughter of an army aviator, she has spent more than 33 years in education in Wisconsin as a teacher, principal, administrator, and college professor, guided by her personal mantra: “building community through education.”

“Building community through education is not just a tagline, it is core to our success as a charter school system,” she explained. “I want us to look at it not as a system of charter schools but a charter school system.”

Conrad was selected from a highly qualified pool of applicants, and though her colleagues in Oshkosh were sad to see her go, they praised her impact.
“Her leadership and deep commitment have truly impacted our students and our operations,” wrote Oshkosh Area School District Superintendent Bryan Davis. “While we are sad to see her go, this is a remarkable and well-deserved opportunity for her professional growth, and allows her to be closer to her family in Florida. We extend our deepest gratitude for her service and wish her every success in her new role.”

In Oshkosh, Conrad played a pivotal role in passing the district’s $197.8 million facilities referendum, leading the planning process and helping secure voter support.

She’s bringing that same dedication to Lake Wales. In the second quarter of the school year, she plans to use insights from her first 90 days to define priorities for different stakeholder groups and complete a systemwide strategic plan by the end of the year.
“I want us to come together as a school district and all be pulling in one direction,” she said. “I don’t have an agenda but I definitely have a vision.”

By the fourth quarter, Conrad hopes to identify a unifying “shining star” for the district, while still celebrating the unique identities of each of the seven charter schools.

The move to Florida was a family decision as much as a professional one. “We were the only ones who weren’t here,” she laughed, noting that their adult son and his wife, along with her brother and sister and their families, all live nearby. She and her husband are settling in with their beloved Yorkie, while she also makes time for the beach, exercise, and her favorite workout, the barre method.

In her Back to School letter, Conrad wrote, “I am feeling tremendous pride and unity in our community. It is a privilege to be a part of it, and I am incredibly optimistic about all the great things we will achieve together this school year.”

Her optimism is contagious as she visits schools, chats with staff, and greets families. She encourages everyone to stop, say hello and introduce yourself.
“I am inviting all of you to be a part of a great school year,” she said. “Your support, whether you are volunteering, coming to events, or just staying in the know, makes all the difference.”

City of Lake Wales Set to Approve $123 Million Budget for Next Fiscal Year

City of Lake Wales

Maria Iannucci

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September 2, 2025

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City of Lake Wales Set to Approve $123 Million Budget for Next Fiscal Year

by James Coulter

The City of Lake Wales is set to approve next fiscal year’s budget of more than $123 million with an emphasis on projects to implement its Lake Wales Connected Plan.

At their workshop on Wed., Aug. 29, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed the proposed budget and millage rate for the next fiscal year.

The proposed budget is estimated to be $123,558,276. Its proposed operating budget expenditures are estimated to be $46,281,533, which is “14.6% more than last year’s total operating expenditures,” wrote Finance Director Dorothy Abbott.

The budget includes many capital and significant projects with an overall emphasis on implementing the city’s award-winning Connected Plan. The plan, according to the city’s website, outlines “a strategy for revitalization of Lake Wales’ historic downtown and one of its most important adjacent neighborhoods.”

“Lake Wales Connected seeks to build upon recent momentum, providing a strategy that aligns with the City’s legacy by using a community-based vision to direct future improvements, growth, preservation, and economic vitality,” the city’s website states.

Such projects include $750,000 for resurfacing city streets, $350,000 for the restoration of the historic Stuart House, $500,000 to help local homeowners bring their properties into compliance with city code, and $1,550,000 to refurbish Kiwanis Park.

To help fund the proposed budget, the city will likewise adopt a proposed millage rate of 8.0462 mills, “which is greater than the rolled-back rate of 6.6772 mills by 20.50%,” Abbott wrote.

At the workshop, Abbott mentioned how next fiscal year’s budget was the “hardest” she and her staff have formulated within nearly a decade.

“It was very difficult,” she said. “This was probably the hardest budget in 8 or 9 years.”

City commissioners will vote on the proposed budget and millage rate at their next meeting scheduled for Tues., Sep. 2 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall.

1,240+ Acres Being Considered for Annexation into Lake Wales City Limits for Proposed Mixed-Use Development

City of Lake Wales

Maria Iannucci

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August 31, 2025

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1,240+ Acres Being Considered for Annexation into Lake Wales City Limits for Proposed Mixed-Use Development

by James Coulter

More than four million square feet of industrial development and 3,000 new homes could be developed near the Lake Wales Airport if the City Commission approves the annexation of 1,287 acres of land into the city limits.

At their workshop on Wed., Aug. 27, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed several ordinances pertaining to the annexation, zoning designation, and future land use change of 1,240 acres of land located near the city airport.

Three ordinances would annex 38 acres of land, change their zoning designation to Industrial, and their future land use to Industrial Park. Three other ordinances would annex 1,202 acres of land, change their zoning designation to Planned Development Mixed-Use, and their future land use to Mixed-Use.

With the combined acreage of 1,240 acres, the subject parcels would make up the Master Development Plan (MDP) for Stoneridge, a proposed mixed-use development with industrial, commercial, and residential properties.

The proposed development would be located “on the western edge of the city adjacent to the City of Lake Wales jurisdiction, just west of the Lake Wales Municipal Airport,” wrote Growth Management Director Autumn Cochella.

The Stoneridge MDP is expected to provide up to 3,000 new residential units and more than four million square feet of industrial development. As such, its proposal would help facilitate industrial, commercial, and residential growth within the City of Lake Wales.

Lake Wales city commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the first reading of these ordinances during their regular meeting on Tues. May 20. Commissioner Carol Gillespie offered the only “no” vote.

However, despite the nearly overwhelming support by city commissioners, the proposed development has received pushback from the local community.

On May 23, Polk Forever, which, according to its Instagram account, is “a group of conservation-minded volunteers working to protect Polk’s remaining wildlands”, uploaded a social media post denouncing the proposed development as being potentially detrimental to the local environment.

“If approved, this will make way for continued urban sprawl, allowing development of the 4,000-acre 5R Ranch on the south boundary,” the post read. “More than 5,000 acres of wetlands and ranch lands would become pavement and rooftops.”

City commissioners will vote on the second reading of these ordinances at their next regular meeting scheduled for Tues., Sept. 2 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall.

Traffic Stop Turns Violent: Dundee Man Drags Lake Wales Officer and K9 with Vehicle

carl

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August 31, 2025

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Traffic Stop Turns Violent: Dundee Man Drags Lake Wales Officer and K9 with Vehicle

Lake Wales, Fla. (August 31, 2025) – Marlon Arrindell, age 36 was arrested after fleeing from a traffic stop that injured a Lake Wales Police Officer and his canine partner. The incident began on the morning of Sunday, August 31 before 8:00 am on US Highway 27.

Arrindell fled from a Lake Wales Police Officer that was attempting to stop him for going more than 30 miles per hour over the speed limit. Arrindell eventually pulled over and stopped at the Chevron gas station, located at 900 W. Highway 60., but when the officer attempted to arrest him, he started fighting him. The officer released his partner, K9 Bolo to assist, but Arrindell managed to get back into his vehicle and accelerate, dragging both the officer and canine through the parking lot. Arrindell was quickly located by other officers about a mile West on East Bay Blvd. where he again fled, but this time on foot. Arrindell was quickly taken into custody after injuring himself while attempting to go over a high barbed wire fence.

The officer and K9 Bolo were treated for injuries sustained during the incident. Arrindell is being charged with Driving While License Suspended, Fleeing to Elude, Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting an Officer with Violence, Injuring a Police Canine and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Bigger is Better: Jaws 50th Anniversary in IMAX is Worth the Limited Time Hype

Entertainment

Maria Iannucci

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August 31, 2025

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Bigger is Better: Jaws 50th Anniversary in IMAX is Worth the Limited Time Hype

This iconic movie was made for the biggest screen.

The original Jaws, likely the original Hollywood summer blockbuster released in 1975, was at the time, director Steven Spielberg’s second major motion picture release. If you were around to see it when it was first released, you only had the opportunity to catch it at the local movie theater, with your closest friends at your side who jumped with you every time the great white shark flashed his teeth. But from now until Thursday, September 4, you have a limited time opportunity to see this movie on a bigger screen.

Jaws is a 1975 American film based on the 1974 novel by Peter Benchley. It stars Roy Scheider as police chief Martin Brody, who, with the help of a marine biologist, and a professional shark hunter, hunts a man-eating great white shark that attacks beachgoers at a New England summer resort town.

Jaws: 50th Anniversary is currently running in IMAX theaters across the country, and several local theaters are showing the film. This classic movie has been re-released in 4K; The enhanced video quality, paired with sharpened audio available in IMAX theaters, makes this movie experience far more memorable than just catching it on TV.

The soundtrack for the movie, composed and conducted by John Williams, is at its core, two single notes, that when played over and over, easily controls the suspense throughout the film.

As a special addition to the movie, it begins with a short narrative from Steven Spielberg himself, who speaks directly to the audience. No spoilers here; you’ll have to go to the theater to see it for yourself.

At the theater I went to this weekend to view the film, limited edition posters were available at no charge for moviegoers when they entered the IMAX theater. it was nice to walk away with a little memorabilia. Most people attending the movie, were dressed for the occasion; several wore sweatshirts, T-shirts, jackets, and hats imprinted with the Jaws theme. It’s a thing.

Like the movie Titanic, if you have seen the movie, you clearly know how it ends. Even though I’ve personally seen this movie several times, it was a new experience to be able to sit in an IMAX theater to view it with enhanced sound and on the enormous screen.

The most famous line from the movie is probably, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” In this format, the boat already looks even bigger. You only have until Thursday to catch it in the theater. It was worth the ticket price; make sure you bring a friend to help hold you down when you jump every time something get bitten.

In Loving Memory of William “Bill” Eugene Brown, 68, of Lake Wales

Obituaries

Maria Iannucci

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August 31, 2025

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William “Bill” Eugene Brown, 68

William “Bill” Brown of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, August 28, 2025, at AdventHealth Celebration.

He was born March 26, 1957, in Lake Wales to the late Eugene and Sylvia Brown. Bill was a lifelong resident of Lake Wales where he retired from Warner University as the Supervising Director of Facilities. He was of the Baptist faith. Bill attended the Florida Flywheelers event in Fort Meade each year. He enjoyed traveling to the mountains and watching Old Western movies. He always stayed busy doing showtime renovations.

Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lynda Brown; daughters, Kristin Brown of Lake Wales, Shannon Brown and companion Greg of Lake Wales; sons, Jared Brown and companion Chelsea of Lake Wales, Jason Walker of Lake Wales; sister, Carolyn Jones of Jacksonville; 17 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales with Dr. Steven Darr officiating. Interment will follow at Lake Wales Memorial Gardens. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com.

County Commission Approves Two Agreements for Technical and Software Hosting Services for Next Generation 9-1-1

City of Lake Wales

Maria Iannucci

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August 30, 2025

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County Commission Approves Two Agreements for Technical and Software Hosting Services for Next Generation 9-1-1

by James Coulter

To help keep up with the nationwide trend of transitioning 911 services from analog to digital, county commissioners have approved two agreements for technical and software hosting services for Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1).

At their regular meeting on Tues. Aug 19, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted unanimously to approve two agreements with a company specializing in public safety solutions, specifically with NG9-1-1.

The first agreement will be for technical services to help the county “assess, develop, and correct National Emergency Number Association (NENA) required NG9-1-1 boundary layers, and Polk County E-9-1-1 GIS datasets, for conformance with the NG9-1-1 GIS Data Model,” wrote Brad Howard, Sr. Procurement Analyst.

The second agreement is a Software as a Service (SaaS) subscription agreement, which, as Howard explains, will help provide “the VEP cloud-native solution to validate, edit, and provision public safety GIS data following NG9-1-1 standards and GIS industry best practices.”

The first agreement will have a five-year cost of $381,731, with a one-time cost of $264,425 for implementation services. The second agreement will have a five-year cost of $438,972, with a one-time cost of $7,000 for implementation services.

According to 911.gov, NG9-1-1-1 is “an IP-based emergency call system designed to replace the current analog 911 infrastructure.”

On May 17, 2023, the County, along with eight neighboring counties, approved the Florida 911 Region 4 Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) Project Memorandum of Understanding to help with the transition from analog to digital 911 emergency services.

For this memorandum, DataMark Technologies Validate-Edit-Provision (VEP) software was selected, as Howard explained, “to consume, maintain, and distribute NG-9-1-1 geospatial data.”

According to its website, DataMark Technologies is “committed to enhancing safety and security for schools and communities nationwide.”

“With a deep understanding of public safety and incident response, we are dedicated to helping you create safer communities and ensure the well-being of those you serve,” its website states.

Three People Killed Including A Child In Horrific Accident On Scenic Hwy In Lake Wales

carl

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August 30, 2025

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Three People Killed Including A Child In Horrific Accident On Scenic Hwy In Lake Wales

The PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a single vehicle crash resulting in the death of the driver and two passengers, one being a child. The crash occurred at approximately 10:58pm on Friday, August 29, 2025 on Scenic Highway and Egg Farm Road in Lake Wales.

A gray Hyundai 4 door was traveling northbound on Scenic Highway and failed to negotiate the right curve ahead. The vehicle drove straight through the curve and off the west shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle traveled approximately 20 yards into a wooded area. The vehicle then hit a tree, rotated, and caught fire with the occupants still inside. The occupants included an adult male driver, an adult woman, and a young child. The vehicle and occupants were consumed by the fire.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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